24 March 2009

Figures Show Migration to Outer D.C. Suburbs Nearly HaltingWashington Post..."I looked at these numbers and said, 'Wow!' " said William H. Frey, a demographer from the Brookings Institution who analyzed the figures. "This is a more drastic change in U.S. migration patterns than we've seen in a long time, and I don't think we've seen the end of it."

...outer counties whose comparatively inexpensive housing once attracted newcomers in droves appear to have lost much of their luster.

...the estimates -- which the Census Bureau produces annually based on sources such as census surveys, tax returns, and birth and death records -- closely track the housing market's meltdown in Washington's outer suburbs.

I live in DC now and can see the exurb problem. Housing prices within the beltway are definitely down, but the inner suburbs and DC itself have had a much lower price drop than farther out. The drop in exurbs it not beause it is suddenly affordable in the city. My guess is it because of the commute prices as much as housing prices.